Best outdoor cinemas in Melbourne

Coburg Drive-In

Coburg

For those keen on a nostalgic cinema experience, the Coburg Drive-In is just a short spell from Sydney Road and brimming with the feeling of old-timey movie outings. There’s a retro diner with serving food and cinema staples, the comfort of your own vehicle in which to make out, and the opportunity to see if Johnny Quarterback is finally going to ask you to the prom.

Cameo Outdoor Cinema

Ballarat, 30 Nov-23 Feb

Boasting the only outdoor cinema in Victoria to show “first-release” films, the Cameo Outdoor Cinema has an awesome summer of film lined up. Kicking off the season with Skyfall (Nov 30), this is a venue with a difference; viewers can expect to plug in the provided state of the art headphones, sit back and enjoy the latest releases against a picturesque backdrop.

Rooftop Cinema

Melbourne, Summer

The Rooftop Cinema is another tried and true movie buff hangout, with the clear night sky – despite its inner city placement. The sessions kick off on Dec 1 with a screening of epic The Dark Knight Rises, and there's a Woody Allen marathon Dec 11-13, for a decent dose of Allen's wit and neuroses. The chairs at Rooftop, one must add, are exceedingly comfy – a small but important difference.

Moonlight Cinema

South Yarra, 6 Dec-31 Mar

Certainly the most romantic way to spend a night at the pictures, the Opel Moonlight Cinema takes advantage of Melbourne's gorgeous Royal Botanical Gardens to screen the summers latest releases, cult classics and family favourites. Be sure to catch their wildly popular annual screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (where punters are always encouraged to dance and sing along).

The Shadow Electric

Abbotsford, 3 Jan-3 Mar

Situated in the historic grounds of Abbotsford Convent, every week between Wednesday and Sunday at sundown, the Shadow Electric plays host to an eclectic mix of emerging and established cinema. Get yourself down here for happy hour at the bar (between 3-6pm) and settle down for a night of cinematic magic. Also, don't miss the Beg Scream Shout film festival on January 27 2013: it's part of the Sugar Mountain Music Festival and is dedicated to experimental music-based films by Melbourne artists.

Flix In The Stix

Ballarat, Sat 9 Mar
Bendigo, Sun 10 Mar

The bush short film, music and spoken word festival is back this year, hitting Ballarat and Bendigo for a chilled out night of flix, tunes and yarns. This year, Aussie film heavyweight Nash Edgerton is curating the short film festival, The Whitlams will be playing and larrikin bush poet Murray Hartin will perform his charming and hilarious spoken-word poetry. You can pack you own picnic, buy an Optus Lawn Lounge Ticket (which includes a meal and beer or wine) or purchase food at the venue.